NBCU Local’s ‘Clear the Shelters Presented by Hill’s Pet Nutrition’ Begins This Saturday, Aug. 1

NBCU Local’s Clear The Shelters Presented By Hill’s Pet Nutrition kicks off its 12^thannual campaign this Saturday, Aug. 1 through Aug. 31, with extended fundraising taking place now through Sept. 15. The nationwide pet adoption and donation initiative has helped more than 1.3 million pets find new homes and raised more than $5.6 million for animal shelters and rescues since its 2015 inception.

Through the 2026 Clear The Shelters, NBC and Telemundo stations are partnering with shelters across the nation to promote pet adoption and raise funds, which can be donated to a shelter of the donor’s choice or the general fund. For more information on shelters participating in the fundraising, visit ClearTheSheltersFund.org. Shelters can join this year’s campaign via the Shelter Registration Portal.

2026 Clear The Shelters Campaign Features:

Presenting Sponsor

Hill’s Pet Nutrition, a global leader in science-based pet nutrition and leading supporter of animal welfare, is returning for the ninth consecutive year as a partner of Clear The Shelters, and for the first time as the presenting sponsor of the annual pet adoption and donation campaign. Hill’s Pet Nutrition will support Clear The Shelters campaign activities, along with providing adoption kits to help new pet parents at select participating shelters, which will include starter bags of Hill’s Science Diet, coupons, and other supplies. 

Online Fundraising

Fundraising for the 2026 Clear The Shelters will once again be led by Greater Good Charities, a global nonprofit and longtime campaign partner. Donations to the general fund can be made now through Sept. 15, and donations directly to individual shelters can be made from Aug. 1 to 31 at ClearTheSheltersFund.org.

Virtual Adoptions

WeRescue is also returning for the eighth consecutive year as the exclusive technology partner of Clear The Shelters. The WeRescue website and apps let users browse adoptable pets in their area by breed, gender, size, and more, apply to adopt, and ask questions directly to shelters.

Merchandise

This campaign, The Black Dog will partner with Clear The Shelters for the second year. The restaurant and apparel company will allow customers to donate to the Clear The Shelters fund by rounding up their total for purchases. The Black Dog will also create a special collection of Clear The Shelters-branded merchandise and will donate 50 percent of the proceeds to the fund, and host adoption events at their retail locations. 

NBC & Telemundo Specials

NBC and Telemundo-Owned stations will each debut Clear The Shelters television specials on Aug. 7. The NBC Clear The Shelters special, airing on NBC stations nationwide, features high-profile celebrities led by the star of Universal Pictures’ The Odyssey, Matt Damon, while the Telemundo Desocupar los Albergues special will also debut Aug. 7. Viewers can watch the NBC Clear The Shelters special trailer here.

For more information on Clear The Shelters, including participating shelters, along with details on local events and television programming, visit ClearTheShelters.com and the Spanish-language site DesocuparlosAlbergues.com. Shelters can join the campaign via the new Shelter Registration Portal. Follow Clear The Shelters on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.